Get in Touch
- 1150 W Adams St, Chicago, IL 60607
- Sunday - Thursday | 9 - 5pm
- 312.252.3062
Resources
© 2024 Soul City Church
Leading People Into a Transforming Relationship with Jesus
“The absence of routine just rocks you. My anxiety has been out of control.” Like many in our community, Graci is navigating unemployment and searching for meaning during this time. “I’m a manager at a cosmetics counter downtown. I have a staff and it’s my responsibility to help them grow and develop them. To not have that, it’s like – what is my purpose?”
Instead of numbing out, Graci has bravely leaned into the discomfort. “It’s definitely been a growing season in a lot of ways and there are moments that are really tough. I’ve been really taking this time to be present and intentional with God and remembering that He’s all around me and He’s good. I truly believe I’m gonna come out a better person and closer to who God created me to be.”
Graci’s pursuit of transformation has included several different pathways. She’s moved towards community; sticking with her small group as they transitioned to Zoom. “Being able to connect with other women on that level has been so meaningful. I’m 33 and the older we get, it’s challenging to find quality friends where it goes beyond just a surface level.”
She’s also spent more time in prayer and worship. “Even after this is over, having times of quiet and worship music on and keeping a gratitude journal – these are things I want to continue.”
And Graci is also growing through serving with our Care team. Recently, she had a day where she woke up with heaviness and anxiety. “Just one of those days that I was having a hard time getting out of bed.” But she had made a commitment to deliver a meal to a family in need. “It was really what I needed, got me up and moving. Even though it’s a small moment of my day, that was God giving me a kick in the pants,” she says.
“I have never felt closer to Him in my life. I have never been this uncomfortable. I feel like He’s up to something. He’s teaching me who I am: what’s important to me and what I want for my life on the other side of this. I keep thinking of the seed that has to crack open and die in order for something to grow. That’s the season we’re all in right now… kind of growing into our whole selves.”
Heavenly Father, I confess the ways I’ve started to drift from you
I commit now to shift back toward growth in you
I confess where I have been unintentional and distant
And I commit to drawing back into a personal, intentional friendship with you
I confess the ways I have made myself the victim
And I commit to remembering that in Christ, I am always a victor
I confess the times when I’ve leaned on empty tradition or religion
And I commit instead to a living, breathing relationship with you
I confess all the things I have allowed to distract me
And I commit to making you my focus once again
I confess the ways I’ve become stagnant and stuck
And I commit to moving forward into growth
With you leading the way
Going deeper into transformation
This week, Jarrett and Jeanne challenged us to choose one spiritual practice and commit to it every day. Click below to explore some suggested spiritual practices that will help put you on the path towards growth in your relationship with Jesus. Again, you don’t have to do all of these. Just choose one and try it out this week…
“Prayer is all the ways in which we communicate and commune with God.” -Ruth Haley Barton. Prayer is one of the most central ways that we grow in our relationship with God. You can use the exercise and structure below, borrowed from The Lord’s Prayer to get you started…
Go into the calendar app on your phone and set five alarms to go off each day this week.
Prayer is not a one-way monologue, it is an open, loving dialogue with God.
Each day this week, find a quiet place in your house or around your neighborhood, set a timer for 5 minutes, and simply sit in silence, breathing deeply, and giving your attention to God.
Worship isn’t just for Sundays. Everyday we can open our heart, mind, and soul to the Presence of God through song. Carve out 10-20 minutes each day to listen to our Spotify playlist with some of our favorite songs to sing at Soul City.
The Bible is one of the main places that we learn about God and hear from God. Carving out time each day to read and reflect on Scripture is one of the best ways to grow in our faith. The YouVersion Bible App is a great resource to help get you in this rhythm. Click here to check out some of their Daily Bible Reading Plans.
Two often ignored ways we can experience the God’s Presence is through physical activity, and through engaging with creation.
Each day this week, take a 15-30 minute walk outdoors. Don’t bring headphones, and leave your phone at home if you can. Walk around your neighborhood or a park near you. Notice the beauty around you, and begin to ask where God might be in all of it.
A quick message for those joining us in person this weekend:
Recently, the CDC shared new guidelines for wearing face masks in public and in indoor settings to promote safety in areas with substantial risks of transmission. Therefore, we are requiring that masks are worn while in the building on Sundays.
We are continuously reviewing the CDC guidelines and what our next steps will be – as your safety remains our priority.
